Spinach in Phyllo

This recipe came across my desk the other day, I think it is actually from a kids cookbook. In my never ending quest for easy, healthy food “fast’” food, this one did the trick, and I now share it with you.
First things first: Make sure your phyllo is thawed and your oven is preheated to 375F(190 c). Parchment paper helps tremendously, for lining the baking sheet, the counter etc.

Ingredients:
1 cup (250ml) chopped onion
3 cloves garlic
2 tbsp (25ml) olive oil

2 cups (500ml) sliced mushrooms
1 large bunch spinach,washed and chopped

5 oz (125 g) feta cheese, crumbled
2 eggs beaten
1/4 cup bread crumbs ( I often use panko instead)
pinch nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste
Sesame seeds (I used sesame and hemp)

phyllo sheets

Method:

Saute onion and garlic until tender. Add mushrooms and spinach until spinach is wilted and remove from heat. In a large bowl combine cheese, eggs, bread crumbs, and seasonings. Combine with spinach-mushroom mixture. Place about 2 tablespoons onto each phyllo quare, wrap and spray with your olive oil spray, then sprinkle with sesame seeds!
As far as the wrapping is concerned, it was my first time ever working with phyllo and I am sure many of you have more refined techniques. I spread the phyllo, sprayed it with an organic olive oil and double wrapped, forming squares, or rectangles, like a real spanakopita.
BAked for about 18 minutes or until golden. These were enjoyed by my friends and family and are extremely portable. Let me know how yours turned out!

Escape Essentials, the blog post about key things I keep in my car created so many interesting responses, that I thought it would be fun to write one about my kitchen essentials. As a nutritionist there are certain things I couldn’t get by without. Here is a list:

Maple Syrup and Stevia as sweeteners ( I use Sunnydew by Sunrider) rapadura is good too.

Flax seeds (whole) sesame seeds ( I like black), Cashews, Sunflower seeds, Almonds, Dried Cranberries, Organic Cocoa (I like Camino)Brown rice, Quinoia (red is fun!), Tamari, Braggs Liquid Aminos, Oats, Dates, Miso, TVP (Textured vegetable protein)

Almond and Sunflower butter (cashew is yummy for a treat), Black Beans, Garbanzo Beans, Sprouted Bread (Ezeiekel or Manna), Amy’s lentil soup(baby loves it!),Coconut milk, Vegetable broth, Curry cubes (from the Japanese grocer) coconut oil, olive oil

Organic plain yoghurt, Umeboshi (Japanese plums), frozen blueberries, fresh kale and spinach, leeks, yams, fresh garlic and ginger, broccoli, apples, limes

Cinnamon, tumeric (fresh root and powder, the root is for juicing. So far I have only found it at Choices on Cambie, anyone else able to find this and enlighten me?) Cumin (seeds to grind with mortar and pestle) cardamon, coriander, 5 spice powder, mustard seeds

My essential Sunrider foods: NuPlus, quinary, Fortune Delight

my juicer, mortar and pestle, my lime squeezer……………………………………..

How about you?

skinny-bitch-book-cover1

I have to say that I LOVE this book. A friend had lent it to me, and I just didn’t feel like reading it. Thought it may be some kind of Hollywood Crap that I just can’t take anymore of. Quite the contrary, this book is more on track with “The Omnivore’s Dilemna” than with Paris Hilton. It is a basic, fact-laden, well researched book into why we should all abandon meat , sugar and dairy (slowly) and adopt a more planet/body friendly approach to how we eat.
“Skinny Bitch in the Kitch” is their cookbook, I made blueberry vegan pancakes for my kids just yesterday.
Hoorah!

the uber talented Devendra mashes some Santana with some Bollywood on this track”Carmensita” From the 2007 album “Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon” . He taps into the good vibrations of my favorite So Cal destination, Topanga Canyon, where it was recorded.
Highly Recommend!

This is a most excellent movie , about food, yes, but mainly about love and perseverance and following one’s dreams and passions. With the state of the economy today, and so much uncertainty, this is a beacon of light that guides us back to our inner selves. Go see this film, follow your heart, and Bon Appetit!